Frogs have been hopping around the planet since the Early Triassic, making them one of the oldest extant amphibian lineages. With more than 7,000 frog species globally, they’ve adapted to nearly every environment on Earth, from tropical rainforest canopies to forest floor ponds.

These are some of the most familiar frogs and toads you might actually spot—or hear—in your own backyard.

All members of the order Anura, frogs and toads are closely related amphibians with similar life cycles. Most frogs have smooth skin and long hind legs for swimming and jumping, while true toads often have warty skin, short bodies, and prefer dry, loose soil.

1. Northern Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)

Found statewide across much of the eastern U.S., this aquatic species has a green or bronze body and a

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